For Those Who Slap

[Andrew Jones]

I know he passed away in 91..


Aj

 

[Paraietta]

I like the percussive, driving feel of slap bass when used in a rock context

 

[Skitch it!]

I know he passed away in 91..


Aj

That is news to me

Thanks for your remembrance, he was a great musician and big influence, I had no idea that he had passed on

 

[Skitch it!]

Fishbone's Bonin' in the Boneyard is one of my fav slap hooks, great line from Norwood Fisher and a cheeky solo to boot, wicked player ; )

 

[tharv]

I guess I never understood how someone could NOT like the technique? The sound is awesome when tastefully done.....

One of my personal favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7NNFWR1X3M

 

[Skitch it!]

I guess I never understood how someone could NOT like the technique? The sound is awesome when tastefully done.....

One of my personal favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7NNFWR1X3M

This is cool and the gang, nice one ; )

 

[Big B.]

Slap bass is a great sound as long as you use a dose of taste and restraint. One of the reasons so many people sound bad playing slap bass is that it puts a spotlight on your sense of rhythm and time. The percussive nature of slap bass absolutely HAS to be in time in a way that a p-bass strung with flats through a tube amp doesnt have to. (P-basser's, that is not meant to offend, just to illustrate I love a fat, tubby P-bass as well) In my gigging experience most people who complain about slap bass are blues guitarists and bassist who cant. Every one else in the audience seems to enjoy it, especially the ladies, and that is a great reason in and of itself to play slap bass.

By the way, this is how I like to slap my bass.

 

[fryBASS]

What is it about the technique that you like so much?


And can we see some kool vids of the technique utilized in a platform that you find enjoyable?

And can we keep this thread positive? If slap is not your thing please refrain from putting it down.

Sometimes I like it because it can be more physical than plain old pizz. I feel like I can put more emotion into the piece this way.

I also like to use it when I'm playing solo (not that I go out and play concerts, more like when I'm just playing with myself ), it causes me to be more chordal because i find that my hand is already in position to pluck multiple strings at once.

Also, I just feel like I find a different groove when slapping than when I'm playing pizz.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Never thought about "why" I like it until now. I was a RHCP fan from their early days. My first attempts at slapping were bad news. I considered it something I was never going to be able to do.

A friend gave me the alex slarveski (sp?) video and I patiently, slowly worked at it. Woke up one day and it seemed almost miraculous that I could do stuff I once only dreamed I could. And it was easy, once my hands memorized what I was doing. I think I'm still fascinated by the simplicity of it. And it's fun.

Oddly enough I rarely if ever use any slapping. The ONLY slapping I think I've ever recorded, or performed in fact is in the video below, or a rare RHCP cover or 70s dsico/funk thing. Other than that I'm a pretty straight ahead finger pluckin player.

Fav slap vid here: http://www.youtube.com/joenerve



I'm biased though.

 

[Petebass]

One of my personal favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7NNFWR1X3M

YEAH! Some good links here but this one definitely got me going.

As for Mark from the Spin Doctors, he's is indeed underrated. It's that unfortunate thing where if you make music that is primarily for non musicians or in any way commercial, it makes it very difficult to be recognised for your talents alone. A few have done it, but for the most part the big names of bass make music that non-musicians don't appreciate.

 

[Skitch it!]

This Louis Johnson line on Michael Jackson's - Get on the Floor is righteously funky ; )

 

[masonsjax]

I can't get enough of this clip, I just really dig the funky groove.

 

[bottomzone]

I like the sound, how it feels and the vibe produced for both the player and the listener. Here just a few of my favorites:

(No Comments needed!!!)

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

 

[.nearZBass//]

A lot of people I've seen have their thumb facing down, but I stretch mine out...

 

[Jpeachbass]

I like the sound and feel. Gives a unique power to your function.

 

[naetog]

This Louis Johnson line on Michael Jackson's - Get on the Floor is righteously funky ; )

This is amazing. Michael always had great musicians...

 

[onionpuzzle]

Flea is really heavy on the pop and larry is heavier on the thump. Different styles. Flea doesn't slap with a lot of dynamics, it's ultra aggressive and full on all the time, Larry is a more dynamic player, sounds more percussive to me.

I really love Louis, he lays in hard but is still dynamic. Victor Bailey is another fav, a lot of his lines sound really simple but they just hit the spot, love his groove, he's my favourite player at the moment.

what the heck is up with that sax player's head ? either his brains are leaking, a bad tumor, or.....what ? hair ?

 

[Funkfaker]

This Louis Johnson line on Michael Jackson's - Get on the Floor is righteously funky ; )

+1
Always dug what LJ did with the Brothers Johnson as well. A great example of a player who had the fireworks but could tame it into a great groove.

I also love Mark King of Level 42 and Larry Graham. Both have serious chops and groove.

 

[onetime]

I can't get enough of this clip, I just really dig the funky groove.

That guy was straight f-ing killin' it! I can't get enough of it either. How can you not like slap after watching that?

 

[5StringPocket]

+100 The tone on that Roscoe is unbelievable. He has such economy of motion, every note hit just right, excellent muting technique... just perfect.